Laren, Town and municipality in North Holland, Netherlands
Laren is a town and municipality in North Holland that spreads across gently rolling countryside in the Gooi region. The community has a small center with a mix of older homes and newer buildings, surrounded by green spaces and gardens.
Laren was established as its own municipality in 1812. Several decades later, painters discovered the quiet setting and natural beauty, turning it into an artistic center by the end of that century.
Laren became known as an artists' village when painters moved here in the late 1800s to work and live together. This creative tradition remains part of how locals and visitors understand the place today.
Laren sits near Amsterdam and other towns like Hilversum, making it easy to reach from various directions. The town is best explored on foot or by bicycle, which are common ways to get around the area.
The Rosa Spier Huis is a retirement home specifically designed for senior artists, keeping the connection to the town's creative history alive. It allows retired artists to continue living and working in the place they chose.
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